Mike Mitchell's rare photos of the Beatles performing at the Washington Coliseum in 1964 attracted high prices at auction Wednesday, figures released Thursday by Christie's auction house revealed.
The 46 photos sold for $361,938, including buyer's premium, the auctioneer reported. The auction house had estimated the photos would take in $100,000. A number of the photos were shots of the group surrounded with lights, creating a moody look.
Many of the photos sold for well over the auctioneer's estimate. A photo of the four Beatles taken from behind estimated to sell for $2,000-$3,000 sold for $6,875. A close-up of Ringo Starr shadowed by lights estimated to sell for $2,000-$3,000 sold for $8,125.
A view of John Lennon taken from the side singing at the show estimated to sell for $3,000-$4,000 sold for $9,375. A close-up of a silhouetted Lennon from behind estimated to sell for $2,000-$3,000 sold for $13,750.
The picture that got the most attention from buyers, however, was a shot from behind of the four Beatles in silhouette shown at left. It was estimated to sell for $2,000-$3,000 but sold for a whopping $68,500.
In an interview with Beatles Examiner before the auction (see links below), Mitchell said a book of the photos was under consideration.
RELATED READING (our two-part interview with photographer Mike Mitchell):
- INTERVIEW: Photog restores treasured Beatles pics for upcoming auction (Part 1)
- INTERVIEW: Photog restores treasured Beatles pics for upcoming auction (Part 2)
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